Community Forums

McRod · 02-25-2016, 09:24 PM

We have been comparing Montana's over and over, and to be honest, all of the floor plans have some issue that prevents us from settling on one. But in the process, we thought that if they could take one feature from one floor plan and add it to another, then we would have a winner!

Do manufactures entertain and make requested modifications to ordered units? Has anyone gone through this with a manufacturer? What was the process, and was it worth it in terms of cost, and did you get what you wanted in the end?

Mr_D · 02-25-2016, 09:36 PM

Some will some won't in motorhomes. Probably the same with 5th wheels. Only way to know is to ask.

paz · 02-26-2016, 03:41 AM

Same is true for 5th wheels - some will, some won't. Generally, the higher the sales volume for a particular make, the less likely they will be willing to make mods. Montana is high volume, so they are probably are less likely to make any changes.

DRV, who made our 5th wheel, will make changes within reason.

clifford j · 02-26-2016, 06:40 AM

I watched a 15 minute utube video of a 5th wheel production. It starts from making the frame to going thru the rain test. Factory workers "run" while they construct the units, it's like they are paid by piece work. The interesting thing is how all the components are installed during the process. It also shows why we have difficulty as owners to repair, or make modifications.
Requesting changes in a standard model for sure would slow down production unless as mentioned it was a low volume high end 5er.
I can see why it's necessary to do a walk-thru before paying your bill. Way too much depends on the skill of the worker on the assembly line. If you've ever watched a video of car being made you'll see automation at it's best, computers coordinate part movement on the assembly line.
I don't think I'd like to watch my 5er being make ,I'd probably cancel my order. Haa!

CLIFF

jacknife · 02-26-2016, 10:20 PM

Tjat is exactly how the high volume builders pay by the piece.

j88hynes · 02-27-2016, 01:22 PM

I hear ya, you would think for the price we pay for a new 5th wheel they would have a little bit of pride in what they build

Cumminsfan · 02-27-2016, 02:28 PM

Who needs pride of workmanship when you are setting sales records?
RVIA: January RV Shipments ‘Best in 10 Years’ | RV Business

Elkhart Ind can't find enough workers to fill all the jobs needed, hence they're hiring anyone that can fog a mirror.

Unfortunately another economic downturn is needed to help the problem. MFGs will be fighting for customers and the work force will be trimmed down to the cream of the crop.

mike1poles · 02-27-2016, 04:54 PM

Check out a custom builder, there are many all across the USA, just google it or ask around. Take in the plans and idea's of what you want, and they will make it exactly like you want it. It may be a little more, but not that much and it's the way you want it.

Hope this helps and God bless,
Mike

donnandon · 02-28-2016, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McRod

We have been comparing Montana's over and over, and to be honest, all of the floor plans have some issue that prevents us from settling on one. But in the process, we thought that if they could take one feature from one floor plan and add it to another, then we would have a winner!

Do manufactures entertain and make requested modifications to ordered units? Has anyone gone through this with a manufacturer? What was the process, and was it worth it in terms of cost, and did you get what you wanted in the end?

There's no harm in asking. In our case we were ordering our previous trailer and mentioned to the salesman that we were interested in some changes if possible. He contacted the factory with the list of changes we wanted, and the factory sent him a list with the cost for each change. That narrowed down our list some. By the time we wanted to order the trailer with the mods, we were notified that production had changed over to the next year models and the floorplan we were ordering was no longer available. The factory said they could find an existing unit on a dealers lot and bring the trailer back to the factory for the mods we wanted. Everything was great and that trailer served us well until we just found our new trailer. The sad part is that that 5th wheel manufacturer went bankrupt during the last economic downturn.

p.s. Some have mentioned the custom manufacturers. If you are looking at Montana's, the custom manufacturers are probably out of your price range.

p.s p.s You might want to check out Ambition Full Time 5th Wheel | Luxury Fifth Wheel RVs | Augusta RV